AUS vs ENG 2018: Travis Head open to bat anywhere in ODIs

Fourth ODI between Australia and England will be played tomorrow in Adelaide.

Axed Australian batsman Travis Head gets much-needed opportunity to return to Australia’s One Day International folds, as the middle-order batsman has been recalled along with all-rounder Glenn Maxwell for the fourth ODI of the five-match series against England. Maxwell has been roped in as cover for injured Aaron Finch who has been ruled out of the final two ODIs.

Aaron Finch’s hamstring injury brings opportunities for both Head and Maxwell to prove themselves once again and cement their spot in the national side.

Travis, who made his ODI against the West Indies in 2016, playing only 30 ODIs and last was against India in October 2017, eyeing the opening batting slot vacated by Finch, though said he is open to bat anywhere. He will make his ODI comeback at his home ground Adelaide, where they will play fourth ODI tomorrow, and he would definitely like to restart a successful opening partnership with David Warner.

As per Cricbuzz, Travis Head told reporters, “I have always said [I want to bat] as high as I can – any batter would be silly to not take on the white ball as high as they can bat. I have batted everywhere. I feel like I can do the job anywhere really. I haven't played the way I would have liked at No.4 in that anchor role but I feel like I have done a nice job at the top, a nice job in the middle. I know I can do it. It's nice to get a settled position, I guess, but I just need to take my opportunities.”

The 24-year-old southpaw wants to repeat last years’ record-breaking opening partnership of 284 against Pakistan with Warner if he gets an opportunity against England to bat at top order.

He added, “Hopefully that opportunity comes, I'm not quite sure yet. If I get my opportunity tomorrow hopefully I can do the same [as last year]. It's a beautiful batting wicket and plenty of runs out there.”

The left-hander, who usually bats at No.4, is disappointed with his form in the first two games of the Big Bash League but is confident to deliver good performance against England. Head signed off by saying, “I feel like I have been playing well in the Big Bash but I have been disappointed in the way I have started in this series. I'm happy to bat wherever … as high as I can bat is nice. I think everyone in world cricket would say the same thing in white-ball cricket bat as high as they possibly can. But I'm just happy to get my opportunity again after a pretty disappointing first two games.”